Several New York air traffic controllers on Monday heard a terrible audio threat obtained exclusively by CBS News: “We are flying a plane in the Capitol on Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged.”
The threat refers to Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed last year in a US drone strike commanded by President Trump. It was held on the one-year anniversary of Soleimani’s death, for which Iranian officials have long vowed revenge.
It is unclear who sent the threat. Although the government does not believe the warning of an attack is credible, it is being investigated as a violation of aviation frequencies, CBS News reported.
Sources told CBS News that the Pentagon and other agencies were informed on Tuesday about the digitized voice recording. Sources said they believe the threat was designed to suggest hitting the Capitol on the same day Congress will determine the results of the Electoral College.
Experts said the intrusion is worrying because it could affect the instructions pilots receive on how and where planes fly.
Sources told CBS News that a message was sent to air traffic controllers on Tuesday, reminding them that any threat or a plane that deviates from its flight path should be reported immediately.
The FBI did not comment, but said it took “all threats of public safety violence” seriously. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was in contact with law enforcement.
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